In a not-so-surprising deal, the Milwaukee Brewers parted ways with their closer of five seasons, RHP Francisco Rodriguez, affectionately dubbed “K-Rod”. On the other end of the deal were the Detroit Tigers, who sent a Class A Advanced infielder, Javier Betancourt. The deal makes sense for the Tigers, who’ve struggled in the bullpen for the past few seasons, especially considering Rodriguez’s stellar 2.21 ERA in 57 innings pitched in 2015, with 38 saves. Over his fourteen-year career, Rodriguez has a 2.69 ERA with 386 saves. The Brewers are slated to get a player to be named later, and the Tigers possibly may acquire one as well, according to GM Al Avila, who told MLB.com that there’s a scenario where Detroit “could receive a second player as well”. Rodriguez will make $7.5 million next season, and has a $6 million club option for 2017.

TL;DR: The Tigers get a great closer for a relatively low price.

-There were almost serious discussions Freddie Freeman deal which sent him to the Astros

Continuing the Braves’ crazy fire sale of the past year, which has been capitalized by sending SS Andrelton Simmons to the Angels, an exclamation point could’ve been put on the sequence with a trade of the face of the franchise, 1B Freddie Freeman. The trade would’ve involved five players, and Freeman was apparently a key part of the discussion, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jeff Passan. Talks fell apart, and some hypothesize it’s due to Freeman’s monstrous contract of over $100 million (an extension signed after the Braves’ 2013 season, the last one in which they won over 80 games.) Even though Freeman didn’t leave in that instance, with the current state of the Atlanta Braves and Freeman’s talent, he could easily be wearing another uniform of a team on the brink by opening day.

TL;DR: Freeman stays a Brave… for now.

–The Pirates are listening to inquiries about Neil Walker

After 3B Jung-Ho Kang’s breakout rookie season, there are questions in Pittsburgh about SS Neil Walker, especially with IF/OF Josh Harrison waiting and ready, and even more questions now, as his free agency looms next winter. Naturally, the Pirates are listening to offers. According to Roch Kubato of MASN Sports, the Baltimore Orioles and the Pirates discussed a deal, but nothing came of it. Walker is an above average hitter (career .272 hitter), and posted a .269/.328/.427 (OPS+) line last season with 16 home runs and 71 RBI over 603 plate appearances. However, Roch notes that the belief is that the Pirates would be much happier to part with 3B/1B Pedro Alvarez (positions the Orioles are weak at), but would like young pitching, which the Orioles aren’t eager to give up. Walker is slated to make around $10 million next season, per Roch.

TL;DR: Mainly speculation and inquiries for now, but the Winter Meetings may send Walker to Baltimore.

–The Dodgers’ managerial search is down to two candidates

It’ll either be Gabe Kapler (already in the Dodgers front office) or Dave Roberts (San Diego Padres coach), according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. The second interviews are underway and a decision will be made by Friday or Saturday.

–Bud Black and Ron Roenicke will join the Angels

Black will join the Angels in a front office role, and Roenicke will join as the third base coach. A kind of happy ending to Black’s long odyssey that took him from coast to coast.

–Jake Arrieta and Dallas Keuchel took home the Cy Young awards.

Both won 20+ games, while Keuchel (LHP) posted a 2.48 ERA and led the Houston Astros to the playoffs, and Arrieta (RHP) posted a 1.77 ERA and led the Chicago Cubs to the NLCS. There was more question in the NL as many wondered if Zach Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers deserved the award more. Arietta won by an extremely slim margin (four votes).

*Weekend update music plays* Good evening, I’m Will from Piece of the Plate. Here are tonights top stories from Spring Training.

-The long and winding road of problems for the Texas Rangers just won’t let up. After leaving his start with what was thought to be a minor triceps scare, multiple reports have determined that ace pitcher Yu Darvish has sprained his UCL and will in all likelihood undergo season ending surgery. If he doesn’t, he’ll rest for at least four months. Texas has already lost star prospect Jurckison Profar to season ending shoulder surgery, so this would qualify as another big blow. In 2014, the Rangers were absolutely plagued by injuries, as the amount of games missed by players on the DL went over 2000. Continue reading →

–San Francisco Giants OF Hunter Pence broke his forearm yesterday after being hit on the arm by a pitch thrown by Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Corey Black. Pence spoke to the media on Friday, and told them that “You control what you can control. These things happen. It’s part of the game.” (per ESPN) The injury will end his streak of 383 consecutive games played in. Continue reading →

RHP Brandon Beachy has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $2.75 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Beachy spent last season in the dugout recovering from Tommy John Surgery with the Atlanta Braves. In 2013, he missed considerable time with a bone spur and inflamed tissue in his elbow, and missed the second half of 2012 after an earlier Tommy John Surgery. Needless to say, the 28-year old hasn’t seen too much time playing – he’s only pitched 110 innings in the last three seasons. He’ll continue his streak of time lost, as he is expected to start the season on the DL. But when he’s been healthy, Beachy has been good; since 2012, he’s gone 7-6 with a 2.68 ERA over 18 games.

The value of the deal makes sense for the most part. Beachy has only two full seasons of Major League experience and 267 innings pitched under his belt. The Dodgers are taking a small chance due to how injury-prone he is, but he has the ability to shine in Hollywood and possibly take on a larger role if and when Greinke and others leave the rotation.

Over four years, Beachy has gone 14-11 with a 3.23 ERA and 275 strikeouts.